How to look up Ford paint code?
The Ford paint code is usually found on the door jamb sticker or the Monroney window sticker. If that isn’t readable, you can retrieve it by using your vehicle’s VIN with Ford’s official resources or by asking a dealer.
Where to locate the Ford paint code on your vehicle
If you’re starting from scratch, these are the most reliable places to check. The exact location can vary by year and model, but the spots below cover the majority of Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs.
- Driver’s side door jamb or the edge of the door frame — look for a tag that reads Exterior Paint, Paint Code, or a similar field.
- Monroney window sticker (the price tag on the window) — the exterior color line usually shows a code or short descriptor paired with the color name.
- Under-hood or radiator support sticker on older vehicles — some models carry a paint code in these areas.
- In the trunk area, glove compartment, or near the spare tire well — a few model years place the code in these spaces.
The exact label placement can vary by model year, so if you don’t see a paint code on the door jamb, check the window sticker or ask your dealer for guidance.
How to look up the paint code using the VIN
If the physical labels don’t yield a readable code, your VIN is the fastest digital route to the exact color. Here’s how to use it responsibly.
- Visit Ford’s official VIN lookup or contact a Ford dealer’s parts department and provide the 17-character VIN. They can pull the paint code from the build data associated with that VIN.
- Use reputable third-party VIN decoding sites that advertise Ford color matching, or search for the specific VIN in Ford forums or owner groups where color data is shared. Verify against a known Ford color chart when possible.
- Be aware that some models use tri-coat or multi-layer paints, which may require multiple codes (base color plus topcoat). If you have a tri-coat color, specify “tri-coat” when confirming the match with a dealer to ensure the correct shade.
Using the VIN is especially helpful for older or hard-to-reach labels, and dealers can confirm the exact color code and provide the corresponding Ford color name for touch-up paint or a respray.
Tips and caveats
Colors can shift slightly due to production lots, lighting conditions, and how a photo renders a shade. Whenever possible, compare a physical paint chip or color sample with the vehicle to verify a match, and when buying touch-up paint or arranging a repaint, request the exact code from a dealer or trusted body shop to ensure accuracy.
Summary: The paint code is most often found on the door jamb label or the Monroney window sticker. If those aren’t readable, your VIN lookup with Ford’s official resources or a dealership will reveal the exact color code and name. For multi-layer finishes such as tri-coats, confirm both the base color code and the topcoat with the dealer to ensure a precise match.
